Einstein Observatory Limits on Neutron Star Surface Temperatures

Author(s):  
F. R. Harnden
1987 ◽  
Vol 125 ◽  
pp. 457-457
Author(s):  
F.R. Harnden

For years the theoretical models of neutron star formation and evolution had remained largely unconstrained by observation. Following the Einstein X-ray Observatory surveys of supernova remnants and pulsars, however, strict temperature limits were placed on many putative neutron stars. The Einstein search for additional objects in the class of supernova remnants with embedded pulsars has increased the number of such objects by two. For the four objects in this class, the surface temperature limits (see Table 1) provide meaningful logically sound constraints on the neutron star models. For the future, however, still better X-ray observations are needed, both to increase the number of objects available for study and to refine the spatial and spectral capabilities of the X-ray measurements.


2018 ◽  
Vol 620 ◽  
pp. L13 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Rouco Escorial ◽  
J. van den Eijnden ◽  
R. Wijnands

We present our Swift monitoring campaign of the slowly rotating neutron star Be/X-ray transient GX 304–1 (spin period of ∼275 s) when the source was not in outburst. We found that between its type I outbursts, the source recurrently exhibits a slowly decaying low-luminosity state (with luminosities of 1034 − 35 erg s−1). This behaviour is very similar to what has been observed for another slowly rotating system, GRO J1008–57. For that source, this low-luminosity state has been explained in terms of accretion from a non-ionised (“cold”) accretion disc. Because of the many similarities between the two systems, we suggest that GX 304–1 enters a similar accretion regime between its outbursts. The outburst activity of GX 304–1 ceased in 2016. Our continued monitoring campaign shows that the source is in a quasi-stable low-luminosity state (with luminosities a few factors lower than previously seen) for at least one year now. Using our NuSTAR observation in this state, we found pulsations at the spin period, demonstrating that the X-ray emission is due to accretion of matter onto the neutron star surface. If the accretion geometry during this quasi-stable state is the same as during the cold-disc state, then matter indeed reaches the surface (as predicted) during this later state. We discuss our results in the context of the cold-disc accretion model.


Author(s):  
P B Jones

Abstract A number of previous papers have developed an ion-proton theory of the pulsar polar cap. The basic equations summarizing this are given here with the results of sets of model step-to-step calculations of pulse-precursor profiles. The nature of step-to-step profile variations is described by calculated phase-resolved modulation indices. The conditions under which nulls are present in step sequences are analysed. The change of mean null length with neutron-star surface temperature shows a pathway ending in emission similar to the Rotating Radio Transients. The model accommodates exceptional pulsars, the millisecond pulsars (in principle), and the 8.5 s period PSR J2144-3933. These are considered separately and their emission mechanism discussed in some detail.


1983 ◽  
Vol 101 ◽  
pp. 513-516
Author(s):  
Kenneth A. Van Riper

Neutron star cooling calculations are reported which employ improved physics in the calculation of the temperature drop through the atmosphere. The atmosphere microphysics is discussed briefly. The predicted neutron star surface temperatures, in the interesting interval 300 ≤ t (yr) ≤ 105, do not differ appreciably from the earlier results of Van Riper and Lamb (1981) for a non-magnetic star; for a magnetic star, the surface temperature is lower than in the previous work. Comparison with observational limits show that an exotic cooling mechanism such as neutrino emission from a pion-condensate or in the presence of percolating quarks, is not required, unless the existence of a neutron star in the Tycho or SN1006 supernova remnants is established.


1971 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 455-456
Author(s):  
V. Canuto

It is usually considered that the beaming of the radiation coming out of a pulsar has to be strictly connected with the mechanism producing the radiation itself. We want to show that even when the emitting mechanism gives rise to an isotropically distributed radiation, the presence of a strong magnetic field will automatically beam the radiation preferentially along the magnetic field line rather than in any other direction. We have computed the Compton scattering and from that the opacity KH (K0 is the opacity for zero field). In Figure 1 the ratio KH/K0 is given vs. θ, the angle between the propagation vector and the magnetic field axis. Hq is a critical magnetic field numerically equal to 4.41 × 1013 G; Ne is the electron density. For the ordinary wave the opacity is reduced at θ = 0, while it is unaffected at θ = π/2 where KH → K0. Even at θ = π/4 the ratio KH/K0 is still ≃ 10−2, and a good beaming is still present. The values of the parameters are proper for a neutron star surface. It is to be noticed that the ratio KH/K0 is of the order of (ω/ωH)2 or [(kT/mc2)/(H/Hq]2. One therefore can conclude that the presence of a magnetic field itself assures the beaming of radiation along the field lines.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 082
Author(s):  
Wei-Yang Wang ◽  
Yi Feng ◽  
Xiao-Yu Lai ◽  
Yun-Yang Li ◽  
Ji-Guang Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
X Ray ◽  

1995 ◽  
Vol 163 ◽  
pp. 481-485
Author(s):  
S. Mereghetti ◽  
T. Belloni ◽  
F. Haberl ◽  
W. Voges

The X-ray source 1E 1024.0-5732, serendipitously discovered with the Einstein Observatory, was previously interpreted as a rapidly spinning neutron star, accreting matter from its massive early-type companion, the emission-line star Th35-42. However, new ROSAT data do not support the presence of a neutron star in this source. A more likely scenario, also indicated by recent optical spectroscopy, involves X-ray emission from the colliding winds of a WR+O binary. Surprisingly, this star remained unnoticed during an extensive optical search for new Wolf-Rayet stars, carried out in this region of sky. Stimulated by the discovery of this first X-ray selected WR star, we have undertaken a search for similar objects in the data from the ROSAT All Sky Survey.


2020 ◽  
Vol 495 (2) ◽  
pp. 1641-1649
Author(s):  
A Sanna ◽  
L Burderi ◽  
K C Gendreau ◽  
T Di Salvo ◽  
P S Ray ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We report on the phase-coherent timing analysis of the accreting millisecond X-ray pulsar IGR J17591–2342, using Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) data taken during the outburst of the source between 2018 August 15 and 2018 October 17. We obtain an updated orbital solution of the binary system. We investigate the evolution of the neutron star spin frequency during the outburst, reporting a refined estimate of the spin frequency and the first estimate of the spin frequency derivative ($\dot{\nu }\sim -7\times 10^{-14}$ Hz s−1), confirmed independently from the modelling of the fundamental frequency and its first harmonic. We further investigate the evolution of the X-ray pulse phases adopting a physical model that accounts for the accretion material torque as well as the magnetic threading of the accretion disc in regions where the Keplerian velocity is slower than the magnetosphere velocity. From this analysis we estimate the neutron star magnetic field Beq = 2.8(3) × 108 G. Finally, we investigate the pulse profile dependence on energy finding that the observed behaviour of the pulse fractional amplitude and lags as a function of energy is compatible with the down-scattering of hard X-ray photons in the disc or the neutron star surface.


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